BGN Reports Free Nutritious Meal Programme Absorbs 1.28 Million Workers

Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme continues to deliver substantial impact on labour absorption and national economic circulation through the engagement of 1.28 million workers.

This was announced by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) in statistics released on Friday, 22 May, which noted that the MBG programme had involved millions of workers across 29,225 Nutrition Service Provision Units (SPPG) throughout Indonesia.

In an official statement in Jakarta on Saturday, the Indonesian Government Communications Authority referenced President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks during the 19th Plenary Session of the House of Representatives for the Fifth Session of the 2025–2026 Parliamentary Year on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

“From MBG alone we have created 1.2 million new jobs in kitchens. And we ensure markets are guaranteed, offtake is guaranteed for tens of millions of our farmers, ranchers, and fishermen,” stated President Prabowo on that occasion.

The workers are tasked with preparing nutritious meals for 62.45 million beneficiaries comprising students, toddlers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and Islamic boarding school students.

However, the economic impact of the MBG programme extends beyond labour absorption, encompassing the involvement of local enterprises throughout the food supply chain and meal distribution.

BGN recorded that as of 22 May 2026, there were 142,387 suppliers engaged in the programme. Of this total, 59,921 comprised micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 13,306 from cooperatives, 690 from Village Red and White Cooperatives (KDKMP), 1,410 from Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), and 157 from Joint Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDesma).

Meanwhile, 66,903 other suppliers derived from various categories of food providers and supporting services.

BGN further noted that the MBG programme stimulates the people’s economy from upstream to downstream by creating substantial sustained demand for food products.

As an example, a single SPPG requires approximately 200 kilograms of rice daily, equivalent to 4.8 tonnes monthly, to fulfil 3,000 MBG portions.

Additionally, a single SPPG requires approximately 2,800 chickens monthly, assuming chicken dishes are served twice weekly.

BGN also recorded that each SPPG requires approximately 450 litres of milk daily to fulfil 3,000 MBG portions, with each beneficiary receiving 150 millilitres of milk per serving.